Towel loofah

ABSTRACT

A bathing device has outlet and inlet sides and defines an enclosure. Outlet and inlet sides are permeable to allow water flow through the enclosure. The enclosure is sized to receive soap and to form an air pocket adjacent to the soap, which may be in the form of a bar, a liquid or a gel. A zipper on the inlet side provides access to the enclosure interior. An absorbent member is located proximate the inlet side of the enclosure. In use, soap is located within the compartment. Water is flowed through the inlet side of the enclosure, through the absorbent member and into the soap compartment for mixing the soap and water. Water and dissolved soap are then delivered through the outlet side. Twisting the enclosure about the soap increases mixing as does squeezing the absorbent material to displace water through the outlet side of the enclosure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/371,961 entitled “TOWEL LOOFAH,” filed Aug. 9, 2010,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to personal bathing devices, specifically loofahs,wash cloths, sponges, and the like. In particular, the invention relatesto a bathing device that forms a compartment for receiving soap and fordispensing soap suds through an outlet side of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, when bathing, an average person takes a bar of soap and putsit in his or her hand. The user lathers the soap in between the palms ofhis or her hands, thereby dissolving layers of the soap as the soapmixes with incoming water and air pockets created in between the user'sfingers. Importantly, to achieve a desired soap and water mixture,abundant water flow and air pockets between the user's fingers must bepresent.

Therefore, one reason a typical design for a bar of soap and enclosedtowel combination does not work well is because there is no water flowover the bar of soap and no space between the bar of soap and the towelor permeable material to create an air pocket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention incorporates the use of a towel or wash cloth anda bar of soap or liquid soap or gel. The towel loofah is designed toproduce a constant, even lather that gently cleans and exfoliates. Azipper pouch conveniently holds a full bar of soap or liquid shower gelwithin a soap compartment.

In use, a user soaks the towel loofah until completely wet. Next, theuser places a desired soap inside the zipper pouch and twists the towela few times to create a rich lather. Finally, the user places his handthrough a strap and begins cleansing. It is advisable after each use toremove the soap, rinse the towel and hang the towel portion by the strapto dry. The towel loofah is preferably machine washable.

The design of the invention is based on an inlet flow and an outlet flowvis-a-vis a soap containing compartment, in contrast to designs thatincorporate a two sided foam where there is no inlet flow and no outletflow, thus causing the design not to work well.

Important aspects associated with the design of the invention includethe absorbency of a foam/sponge located adjacent to a bar of soap, theincreased water flow rate within the soap containing chamber as comparedto prior designs, the spacing/air pockets surrounding the soap, and anability to create frictional contact between the towel or permeablematerial and the bar of soap. Liquid soap may also be used within thedevice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the towel loofah in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the towel loofah in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of the towel loofah in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a bottom schematic view of the towel loofah.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the towel loofah of FIG. 1, showntaken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pouch material used to prepare the towelloofah of FIG. 1, shown in an unassembled configuration.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pouch material of FIG.6, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and then folded inside out inpreparation for assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, shown is a bathing device designatedgenerally 10. Bathing device 10 is made up of a permeable sheet ofmaterial 12. Preferably permeable sheet of material 12 is preferablyterry cloth, although other materials may be used, includingmicro-fiber, exfoliating pads and sponge material. Patterns, designs orcharacters may be affixed to an outer surface of bathing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, sheet 12 has a right end 14, a left end 16, a topedge 18, and a bottom edge 20. Permeable sheet 12 is divided into aplurality of panels by a plurality of fold lines as discussed below.

In a preferred embodiment, sheet 12 is 11½″×5⅞″. However, otherdimensions may also be used. Permeable sheet 12 has an outlet panel 22defined by left outlet side fold line 24 and right outlet side fold line26. Permeable sheet 12 has a left outside inlet panel 28 that is definedby left outlet side fold line 24 and left zipper fold 32. Permeablesheet 12 has a left inside inlet panel 34 defined by left zipper fold 32and by left outside fold 36. Permeable sheet 12 has a left outlet panel38 defined by left outside fold 36 and by left end 16 of sheet 12.Permeable sheet 12 has a right outside inlet panel 40 defined by rightoutlet side fold line 26 and by right zipper fold 42. Permeable sheet 12has a right inside inlet panel 44 defined by right zipper fold 42 and byright outside fold 46. Permeable sheet 12 has a right outlet panel 48defined by right outside fold 46 and by right end 14 of sheet 12.

In a preferred embodiment, outlet panel 22 is 3¾″×5⅞″; left outsideinlet panel 28 and right outside inlet panel 40, left inside inlet panel34 and right inside inlet panel 44 are 1⅞″×5⅞″; and left outlet panel 38and right outlet panel 48 are 1⅛×5⅞.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, left end 16 of sheet 12 is sewn tooutlet panel 22 at left sew line 50 (FIG. 4). Right end 14 of sheet 12is sewn to outlet panel 22 at right sew line 52. An enclosure devicesuch as zipper 54 is provided. Left side of zipper 54 is sewn to leftzipper fold 32. Right side zipper 54 is sewn to right zipper fold 42.Wrap around channel 55 is formed by an area defined by left outsideinlet panel 28, left inside panel 34, and left outlet panel 38.Similarly, wrap around channel 57 is formed by an area defined by rightoutside inlet panel 40, right inside inlet panel 44, and right outletpanel 48. Wrap around channels 55 and 57 provide an additional pathwayfor liquids to facilitate improved mixing of soap and water incompartment 60 and gives foam member 56 increased space as compound to atightly sewed foam enclosure. After sewing is complete, bathing device10 is turned right side out to assume the configuration shown in FIGS.1-5.

Top edge of panels 38, 34, 28, 22, 40, 44, and 48 are sewn together toform top edge 18 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6) of bathing device 10. Similarly, abottom edge of panels 38, 34, 28, 22, 40, 44, and 48 sewn together toform bottom edge 20 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6) of bathing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, left foam member 56 is inserted between left insideinlet panel 34 and left outside inlet panel 28. A right foam member 58is inserted between right inside inlet panel 44 and right outside inletpanel 40. Compartment 60 is defined by left outside inlet panel 28,outlet panel 22, and right outside inlet panel 40. Compartment 60 isprovided for receiving soap 62. Left foam member 56 and right foammember 58 allow water to pass therethrough. However, left foam member 56and right foam member 58 function as a barrier to soap.

Outlet panel 22 facilitates the passing of water and soap suds from aninterior surface of outlet panel 22 to an exterior surface of outletpanel 22.

Compartment 60 defines an air space 64 around soap 62 to facilitate themixing of soap and water when a user twists bathing device 10 about soap62.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 5, in use, the foam or spongematerial 56, 58 facilitates a constant flow of water to soap 62, andacts as a reservoir for collecting water from permeable panels 28, 40.As a user works the towel or material 12 and squeezes the foam/spongematerial 56, 58, water is displaced through permeable material 12 intothe soap housing area or compartment 60. Once inside compartment 60, thewater creates a separated space or air pocket 64 between soap 62 andmaterial 12. With a constant flow of water, a surface area of soap 62will randomly come in contact with material 12 at various points insidecompartment 60 resulting in frictional contact, which will remove layersof soap 62. The permeable side of device 10, i.e., outlet panel 22,facilitates an increased flow of water, which will push dissolved soap62 through outlet panel 22 onto an outer side of the towel, therebyproviding liquefied soap to a user.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectivesand attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as thoseinherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have beendescribed for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes andmodifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of thisinvention as defined by the claims.

I claim:
 1. A bathing device comprising: a permeable inlet panel havingan inside surface and an outside surface; a one way barrier memberhaving a first side and a second side, said first side adjacent to saidinside surface of said inlet panel; an inside panel adjacent said secondside of said one way barrier member; an outlet panel connected to saidinside panel for forming a soap compartment, said outlet panel forallowing dissolved soap and water to pass out of said compartment. 2.The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein: said one way barriermember is a foam or sponge material.
 3. The bathing device according toclaim 1 wherein: said compartment is sized to receive a bar of soap. 4.The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein: at least one of saidinlet panel and said outlet panel is comprised of terry cloth.
 5. Thebathing device according to claim 1 wherein: at least one of said inletpanel and said outlet panel is comprised of micro-fiber.
 6. The bathingdevice according to claim 1 wherein: at least one of said inlet paneland said outlet panel is comprised of an exfoliating pad.
 7. The bathingdevice according to claim 1 wherein: at least one of said inlet paneland said outlet panel is comprised of a sponge material.
 8. The bathingdevice according to claim 1 wherein: said inlet panel is comprised of afirst panel and a second panel; said first panel and said second panelare connected by a zipper, wherein said zipper provides access to saidcompartment.
 9. The bathing device according to claim 1 wherein: saidinlet panel communicates with a wrap around channel for providing anadditional fluid pathway to said soap compartment.
 10. A bathing devicecomprising: an enclosure having an outlet side and an inlet side;wherein said outlet side and said inlet side are permeable to allowwater flow through said enclosure; wherein said enclosure is sized toreceive soap and to form an air pocket adjacent said soap.
 11. Thebathing device according to claim 10 wherein: said soap is selected froma group comprising a bar of soap, liquid soap and a gel.
 12. The bathingdevice according to claim 10 further comprising: a zipper located onsaid inlet side of said enclosure for providing access to an interior ofsaid enclosure.
 13. The bathing device according to claim 10 furthercomprising: an absorbent foam or sponge proximate an inside surface ofsaid inlet side of said enclosure.
 14. The bathing device according toclaim 10 wherein: said inlet side communicates with a wrap aroundchannel for providing an additional fluid pathway to said soap.
 15. Amethod of providing soap while bathing comprising the steps of: locatingsoap within a compartment of a cloth enclosure; flowing water through aninlet side of said enclosure; flowing water through a foam or spongeinto said compartment containing said soap for mixing said soap and saidwater; flowing water and dissolved soap through an outlet side of saidenclosure.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein: said step oflocating comprises opening a zipper located on said inlet side of saidenclosure.
 17. The method according to claim 15 wherein: said soap andwater are mixed by twisting said cloth enclosure about said soap. 18.The method according to claim 15 wherein: said soap and water are mixedby squeezing said foam or said sponge to displace water through saidoutlet side of said enclosure.